Podcast Summary: The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast

Episode: Discussing Divorce: What About the Kids? Julia & Jacob Petersen Talk Divorce, Going Viral for Jesus & Dating Like Duggars

Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Jinger Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo
Guests: Julia & Jacob Peterson

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode dives into difficult but vital topics relevant to faith, family, and culture, particularly focusing on the impact of divorce on children and the hope of restoration. Jinger and Jeremy sit down with Gen Z Christian influencers Julia and Jacob Peterson, known for their viral content on TikTok and YouTube, to talk candidly about Jacob’s experience as a child of divorce, how their upbringing shaped their approach to relationships and marriage, the influence of the Duggars on Julia’s dating philosophy, and what they are witnessing God doing among young people today. The episode also includes a fun segment playing their faith-based game "Discernment."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introductions & Backgrounds

• The Petersons share their roots: Jacob from New Jersey and Iowa, Julia from California, now settled in Arkansas.
• Julia grew up in a Christian home, but her faith became personal in middle school when she truly understood salvation and began to seek God actively (04:31).
• Jacob recounts a good childhood until his parents divorced when he was around 9-10—an event that became a pivotal point in his faith journey (07:27).

Faith Journeys and Calling

• Julia always planned on a career in medicine but shifted towards ministry after a confirmation from her mom and experiencing a personal call from God (06:40).
• Jacob's faith became real for him after the difficulties of his parents’ divorce and later the unexpected loss of his grandfather (07:27).
• Both discuss how social media unexpectedly became part of their ministry, with TikTok as the avenue they met and launched their marriage and family life (06:52, 14:24).

Dating, Marriage, & Family Influences

• Julia jokes about being inspired by "19 Kids and Counting" to approach dating with the intent to marry, wanting her first kiss to be with her future husband—a value shaped by the Duggars (17:00, 19:28).
  • “I was really, really wanted my first kiss and the first person I dated to be the person that I married. And that’s worked out.” – Julia (19:40)
• Jacob and Julia dated long-distance for six months after connecting through Christian content creators on TikTok (16:48).
• Julia acknowledges being an only child and how the Duggar family influenced her ideas about family, siblings, and relationships (17:19, 21:24).

The Impact of Divorce on Children: Jacob’s Story

[00:09, 25:09, 26:05]

• Jacob reflects candidly on the pain and confusion caused by his parents’ divorce:
  • “I think a lot of it I’ve blocked out subconsciously... Growing up, constantly yelling in the house... and I felt like I almost had to step in and be a leadership figure.” (00:09, 26:05)
• He describes feeling a need to mature quickly and provide comfort to his younger siblings amidst chaos.
  • “Being the oldest, that’s kind of my role at that point. And so that’s just the role I assumed.” (26:05)
• The uncertainty over details is noted—parents shielded the kids from reasons for the split, which Jacob appreciates (26:05).

Restoration, Redemption & Testimony

• Jacob’s parents remarried after three years—an imperfect but sincere decision to put their family first. He notes the ongoing difficulties and the reality that restoration isn’t always a “miraculous” process (07:27).
• After considering ministry, Jacob faces another major challenge when his dad announces he is leaving again. Jacob, strengthened by his faith, confronts his father and pleads for him to resist what “the enemy wants for your marriage”—which leads to another turning point and ultimately a deeper family restoration (30:35).
  • “The enemy comes to steal, to kill, and destroy. He wants to tear our family apart. And I just started speaking life over him and I started speaking scripture over him. And my dad just started bawling.” – Jacob (31:34)
• The “greater redemption”: Jacob was able to baptize his entire family just weeks after their return to faith (33:09).
  • “I was able to baptize my entire family three weeks later.” – Jacob (33:15)

Encouragement for Those Impacted by Divorce

[34:20]

• Jacob’s advice for children and adults experiencing divorce:
  1. Pray Fervently: Pray for restoration and for your family, even when hope feels lost (“...fervently pray over whether it’s your spouse, your ex-spouse, or your parents, whoever it is, that God would restore what the enemy is trying to destroy.” – 34:20)
  2. Draw Close to God: In heartbreak, God gives “peace that surpasses all understanding” (34:20).
  3. Be Open: Sometimes God may use you as the vessel to enact change in your family, if you are willing (“...you could be the vessel that God wants to use to restore your family’s marriage.” – 34:20)
• Julia adds that even if restoration doesn’t look the same, God can use the pain to draw people closer to Himself and teach valuable lessons for their own relationships (35:44).

Gen Z, Social Media, and Viral Faith

• Jacob and Julia discuss the seismic shift in how faith is shared, with TikTok enabling real theological depth and authentic testimony to “where the people are” (38:53-43:57).
  • “If Paul had an iPhone, he would have used it. He would have been on TikTok telling people, because that’s where the people are, right?” – Julia (39:13)
• Testimonies abound of lives changed through simply sharing Christian content. Many reach out to say their faith was ignited through relatable creators.
• Jacob observes that many famous creators and musicians are finding faith after achieving everything the world offers and still feeling empty; social platforms allow them to encounter the gospel in new ways (43:52).
• The conversation notes a new era: "People have given up their godly values for worldly art... I believe what’s coming is people are going to give up their worldly values for godly art." – Paraphrased by Jacob (41:00)
• Example: A girl at Knott’s Berry Farm approaches them, excited to show that she brought her Bible, inspired by their influence (45:20).

Creators, Influence & Humility

• Discussion on the dangers and opportunities of “Christian celebrity”—Jacob and Julia emphasize their platform isn’t for personal fame but to “deflect” attention to Jesus. Jeremy connects it to John the Baptist’s “He must increase, I must decrease” (46:35).
• "We’re just billboards kind of deflecting light." – Jeremy (46:35)

The "Discernment" Game Segment

[47:37–52:22]

• Jacob and Julia introduce and demo “Discernment,” their Christian party game inspired by Mad Gab, featuring 500 cards with jumbled Christian/Bible phrases.
• The hosts and guests play several rounds, laughter and playful banter ensue.
  • “The Lord just gave me a vision one night. Honestly, I was scrolling TikTok... and I was like, well, I’m going to make one.” – Jacob (48:11)
• The game has sold out twice and is just back in stock (52:21).

Notable Quotes

• “I’m gonna be completely honest. I think a lot of it I’ve blocked out subconsciously. Growing up, constantly yelling in the house... I almost had to step in and be a leadership figure.”
  — Jacob Peterson [00:09, 26:05]

• “...when mom and dad are yelling and the kids are scared... like, who’s there to actually comfort them? It’s like, I am, and I’m not taking all the credit, but being the oldest, that’s kind of my role at that point.”
  — Jacob Peterson [26:05]

• “The enemy comes to steal, to kill, and destroy. He wants to tear our family apart. And I just started speaking life over him and I started speaking scripture over him. And my dad just started bawling.”
  — Jacob Peterson [31:34]

• “God prepared me for that moment. And I would have never known.”
  — Jacob Peterson [32:03]

• “You could be the vessel that God wants to use to restore your family’s marriage. And you just have to have your hands open and say, yes, and that’s it.”
  — Jacob Peterson [34:20]

• “If Paul had an iPhone, he would have used it. He would have been on TikTok telling people, because that’s where the people are, right?”
  — Julia Peterson [39:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:09] – Jacob describes the trauma of divorce as a child
• [04:31] – Julia’s faith journey and calling
• [07:27] – Jacob’s family background and parents’ divorce
• [14:24] – Stepping away from social media for spiritual clarity
• [17:00] – Julia’s dating philosophy inspired by Duggars
• [25:09] – Deep dive into the effects of divorce on kids
• [30:35] – The pivotal confrontation with Jacob’s dad, leading to family restoration
• [33:09] – Jacob baptizes his family
• [34:20] – Jacob’s advice for those dealing with divorce
• [38:49] – The rise of Christian content among Gen Z online
• [41:00] – The future of godly creative influence
• [45:20] – Listener testimony at Knott’s Berry Farm
• [46:35] – On Christian ‘celebrity’ and humility
• [47:37] – Introduction of their game, "Discernment"
• [49:00–52:22] – Playful gameplay segment

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a transparent look at the pain and complexity of divorce from a child’s perspective, but it also radiates hope, faith-driven action, and the power of redemption and restoration. Jacob and Julia’s willingness to discuss personal struggles and their commitment to using digital platforms for sharing the gospel provide encouragement to young Christians navigating family brokenness and internet culture. The authenticity and vulnerability make this conversation both comforting and inspiring for anyone touched by divorce, seeking faith, or passionate about reaching the next generation.